Definition: a word that has the same pronunciation as another word, but differs in meaning, and sometimes spelling.
Examples:
Robert Frost
"The Tuft of Flowers"
And then he flew as far as eye could see,
And then on tremulous wing came back to me.
Effect: This is an example of a homonym, where the spelling is different. The word "eye" could be understood as "I" or literally as "eye".
Shakespeare
Hamlet HAMLET
For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a god kissing
carrion,—Have you a daughter? POLONIUS
I have, my lord. HAMLET
Let her not walk i' the sun: conception is a blessing: but not
as your daughter may conceive:—friend, look to 't.
Effect: Here Hamlet is referring to Ophelia as he talks to Polonius about shielding his daughter from further "Conception" has more than one meaning: 1) pregnancy 2) possession and/or formation of an idea or thought. On a more literal basis, Hamlet might be referring to the sullying of Ophelia’s virginity before marriage, whereas, in a deeper way, Hamlet is also warning Polonius that Ophelia should not come to realize Polonius’ plotting with King Claudius.
Homonym
Definition: a word that has the same pronunciation as another word, but differs in meaning, and sometimes spelling.
Examples:
Robert Frost
"The Tuft of Flowers"And then he flew as far as eye could see,
And then on tremulous wing came back to me.
Effect: This is an example of a homonym, where the spelling is different. The word "eye" could be understood as "I" or literally as "eye".
Shakespeare
HamletHAMLET
For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a god kissing
carrion,—Have you a daughter?
POLONIUS
I have, my lord.
HAMLET
Let her not walk i' the sun: conception is a blessing: but not
as your daughter may conceive:—friend, look to 't.
Effect: Here Hamlet is referring to Ophelia as he talks to Polonius about shielding his daughter from further "Conception" has more than one meaning: 1) pregnancy 2) possession and/or formation of an idea or thought. On a more literal basis, Hamlet might be referring to the sullying of Ophelia’s virginity before marriage, whereas, in a deeper way, Hamlet is also warning Polonius that Ophelia should not come to realize Polonius’ plotting with King Claudius.
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